Working from home

I've spent nearly two decades working from home (WFH) in roles as a senior leader, executive, independent consultant, and transformational trainer and coach. During this time, I've identified best practices that helped me achieve success and remain viable and visible while working remotely. I've outlined these best practices below. 

1) Don’t Work Where You Sleep

a. Find a space to work that is away from your bedroom.

b. A best practice is to create a separate space that can be closed off from the rest of your house.

c. If this isn’t possible, find a small nook or a space that is tucked away from heavy traffic areas in your home.

2) Set Boundaries to Avoid Interruptions

a. Set boundaries with family, friends, neighbors, etc.

b. Make it clear that your work area is off limits during your work hours and that you shouldn’t be interrupted unless it’s an emergency.

c. Define what constitutes an “emergency.”

3) Don’t Take Advantage

a. Work hours are not the time to complete household chores.

b. Don’t play on social media during the work day.

c. Use self-discipline to avoid home distractions.

d. Remember, your results will reflect your level of effort.

4) Prioritize Like You Mean Business

a. To be successful working remotely, you must be organized and excel at prioritization.

b. It’s your results that matter, so stay focused on the right things.

c. Keep your workspace and desk clean.

d. Get started early and complete your most critical task first (while others are commuting!)

e. Give a little extra. You're saving commute time to and from work, as well as "water cooler" time. Give this time back to achieve even greater results. 

f. Understand your priorities by asking yourself what’s most important for you to get done—on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis.

g. Understanding and prioritizing your key priorities will help you stay focused on delivering against these goals.

5) Communication Matters

a. Only 7% of communication is verbal; 93% is non-verbal. 

b. WFH employees must bridge the 93% gap of not being able to see facial expressions or body language.

c. This can be achieved by:

i. Communicating in a concise manner.

ii. Checking for understanding.

iii. Being fully present.

iv. Listening attentively.

v. Communicating often.

6) Make a Conscious Effort to be Seen

a. Avoid the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” syndrome.

b. Make work trips and office visits count.

c. Use video conferencing.

d. Network electronically.

e. Don’t underestimate the opportunity to communicate and network through conference calls.

7) Have an Attitude of Gratitude

a. Remember that many companies don’t offer WFH opportunities.

b. Be grateful for the opportunity to work remotely.

c. There’s a responsibility that comes with working remotely, including implementing these best practices. 

d. While working from home is a responsibility, it’s also an incredible perk, so maintain an ongoing “attitude of gratitude!” 

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash.